Sheet or signature feeding mechanism



L. C. WILLIAMS SHEET 0R SIGNATURE FEEDING MECHANISM J ne 23, 1953 3Shasta-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 22, 1950 INVENTOR. LEO C. WlLLmMfi 0041A Q,13mm June 23, 1953 C. WILLIAMS SHEET OR SIGNATURE FEEDING MECHANISM 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 22, 1950 INVENTOR. LEO C. WILLIAMS 0w a/am-ATTORNEY June 23, 1953 Filed Nov. 22, 1950 L. C. WILLIAMS SHEET ORSIGNATURE FEEDING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

LEO G. WILLIAMS I QLQfl/ZZ a. 6m

ATTORNEY Patented June 23, 1953 SHEET R SIGNATURE FEEDING HANISM Leo 0.Williams, Pearl River, N. Y., assignor to Dexter Folder Company, PearlRiver, N. Y., a

MEG

corporation of New York Application November 22, 1950, Serial No.197,081

14 Claims, 1

This invention relates generally to sheet calipering or excess sheetdetecting mechanisms, and more particularly to a caliper-ing mechanismwhich is particularly adapted for embodiment in machines whereinsignatures or other sheets in folded condition are successively fed froma supply thereof and transferred by traveling grippers to other devicesor instrumentalities for further action thereon.

The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with thecaliperi-ng of individual signatures fed successively from a series ofsupply stacks and assembled in superposed or inset relation to formbooks or magazines, whereby signatures that are perfect as to therequired number of pages therein will only he assembled, and books ormagazines that are perfect as to the required number of perfectsignatures will only be'made. The invention will be particularlydescribed in connection with a signature handling machine suited to suchuse, but it is to be understood, however, that this particulardescription for the purpose of illustration only and does notconstitutea limitation upon the natural scope of the invention.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a signaturecalipering mechanism of novel construction which will accurately andreliably detect variations in the thickness of signatures to the degree"of a single thi kness of paper. I

Another object of the invention is to control the results or effects-ofcalipering or detecting operations on signatures as well as plainunfolded sheets by and during performance of traveling grippers engagedtherewith.

Another objectis to provide a novel signature calipering mechanism whichis so constructedand arranged as to enable mounting of the same on arotatahle gripper :cylinder and use of the signature engaging gripper onsaid cylinder as the controlling element thereof, whereby "theconstruction is materially simplified, the necessity or providing othersignature gauging rollers, fin

, 2 through failure of said gripper or grippers to seize the same.

A further object is to provide an improved calipering mechanism mountedon and rotatable with a gripper cylinder which will, through suchrotation, effectively actuate a normally stationary control member uponengagement of an imperfect signature, too thick or too thin, or a sheetof excess thickness, by the gripper or grippers on said cylinder, andalso upon failure of said gripper or grippers to seize a signature orsheet.

Still another object is to provide a calipering mechanism of novelconstruction where-in all of the component parts thereof are carried bya ro-- tating gripper cylinder and including a timed control actuatingfeeler member, and an abutment finger operatively associated with saidmember and movable to various positions by the grippers on said cylinderto prevent or permit movement of said member depending on the thicknessof a signature or other sheet engaged by said grippers or the failure ofthe latter to grip said signature or sheet. 7

Another object is to provide a novel calipering mechanism mounted on arotary gripper cylinder which includes a timed control actuating member.so .novelly arranged that actuation of said member in. timed relationwith the operation of the grippers on said cylinder is controlled by thesame cam means which effects closing and opening of said grippers, thusfurther simplifying the-construction of the calipering mechanism.

Another object is to provide a rotary cylinder having a gripper soarranged thereon in a novel manner that pivotal movement of said gripperinto and out of gripping engagement with a signature or other sheet iseffected through bodily movement of said gripper relative to saidcylinder.

The above and further objects and novel tea- .tures. of the inventionwill more fully appear from the following detail description when thesame is read 'in connection with the accompanying drawings. .Itis to beexpressly understood, hOW- ever, that the draw-ingsare ,for the purposeof illustration only and are not intended .as a definition of thelimitsof .the invention.

In the drawings, wherein like reference charactersrefer to like partsthroughout the several views,

Fig.- l is a fragmentary end elevational view, partly in section, of oneof the units or sections of .a signature gathering machine embodyingsignature oalipering mechanism constructed and operated in accordancewith the present invention, said view showing the gripper cylinder insignature gripping position;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail end elevational view, partly in section, ofthe gripper cylinder and signature calipering mechanism mounted thereon,shown in Fig. l, with the near-side gripper cam supporting bracketremoved, and showing the gripper cylinder advanced a short distancebeyond signature gripping position, said view being taken substantiallyfrom the position indicated by the line 273 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the gripper cylinder,showing the grippers thereon in opened position; and

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the gripper cyiinder andcalipering mechanism, shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring to the drawings, one form of signature calipering mechanismconstructed and operated in accordance with the present invention isherein illustrated, by way of example, as being embodied in a signaturegathering machine wherein folded sheets, and at times plain unfoldedsheets, are successively fed from a series of inline supply stacks anddeposited one upon an other on a trough-like conveyor for subsequentstitching and/ or other operations to form a complete book or magazine.It will be understood that the novel signature calipering mechanism mayalso be embodied in other signature handling machines, such as,signature insetting machines wlier in the signatures are deposited inopened condition one upon another on an inverted V-shaped saddle-typeconveyor for subsequent stitching operations to form a completesaddlestitched book or magazine, as well as in other machines whereinfolded and/or unfolded sheets are presented to devices orinstrumentalities for action thereon.

With reference to the drawings, particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, 5indicates a portion of the framework of a signature gathering machine ofconventional form, which suitably supports the usual longitudinallyextending signature receiving trough 5 that is inclined upwardly andrearwardly from the horizontal. The trough 6 is provided with a rearwall I against which the signatures slide when they are deposited insaid trough in a conventional manner by rotating gripper cylinders oneof which will be hereinafter described in detail. Associated with thetrough 6 is the usual conveyor chain 8 which is continuously driven andis provided at spaced intervals therealong with vertically projectingsignature engaging pushers or fingers 9 for advancing the depositedsignatures along said trough from station to station and gathering thesame fiatwise one on top of the other to form a complete book ormagazine, as well understood in the art.

In the complete gathering machine, a plurality of independent signaturefeeding units or sections are arranged in spaced side by side relationalong the trough 6, as well understood in the art, for feeding thesignatures from supply stacks thereof and delivering them to said troughin timed relation for engagement by the pushers 9 on the chain 8. Whenthe books or magazines are composed of assembled signatures andindividual unfolded sheets, one or more of the feeding units or sectionsis employed to feed the unfolded sheets from supply stacks thereof anddeliver the same to the trough 6 at a desired point thereon forgathering with the signatures fed from the remaining units or sections.For Ghe sake of simplicity and brevity in illustrating and describingthe present invention, and since all of the feeding units or sectionsare identical in construction and operation, only one of said units andonly that portion thereof with which the present invention is actuallyconcerned is herein illustrated.

The present invention is herein illustrated as being embodied in afeeding unit of the conventional bottom feed type wherein the signaturesare extracted successively from the bottom of a horizontally disposedstack thereof. It will be understood that this type of feeding unit isnot to be construed as a limitation, since the present convention may beembodied in other conventional types of feeding units such as, forexample, the on-edge type wherein the signatures are extractedsuccessively from the front of a supply thereof in standing edgewiseposition.

In the illustrated embodiment, a supply stack of signatures ID, or ofsingle sheets as the case may be, is supported in the usual hoppercomprising a fixed base plate II, a fixed front abutment plate I2, andadjustable vertically extending side bars !3 (Fig. 1). The plate I2 andbars I3 are carried by the framework 5, and the plate Ii is secured tospaced brackets I 4 which, in turn, are carried by spaced parallelshafts I5 and I6 forming part of said framework. The base plate IIterminates short of the abutment plate I2 so that the front marginalportion of the lowermost signature ID of the stack is exposed beneathfor separation and extraction purposes. The signatures I0 are placed inthe hopper with the folded back edges thereof abutting against theabutment plate I2.

The usual suction device I1 (Fig. 1) is mounted on a rock shaft I8 forswinging movement thereby at predetermined intervals toward and awayfrom the stack of signatures I0 to engage the exposed marginal portionof the lowermost signatures centrally thereof, separate it downwardlyaway from the stack and bring it into position, as shown in Fig. 1, foroperative engagement by two grippers I9, IS on a rotary extractorcylinder or carrier 20. Suitable valve means controls the making andbreaking of vacuum in the suction device I! such that vacuum is createdtherein when moved toward the stack of signatures ID, and is brokentherein just prior to or simultaneously with engagement of the separatedmarginal portion of the lowermost signature by the grippers IS, IS oncylinder 20. The usual stack lifters 2 Iv are mounted on a rock shaft 22for swinging movement into position beneath the stack of signatures I0,as shown in Fig. 1, to lift said stack as the lowermost signature isextracted therefrom by the gripper cylinder 20.

The gripper cylinder or carrier 20 is keyed or otherwise suitablysecured to a main longitudinally extending shaft 23 which is drivencontinuously by suitable driving means and, in the illustratedembodiment, makes one complete revo-v lution for each cycle of operationof the machine. The grippers IB, I9 are operated by suitable means to bepresently described, to engage the separated marginal portion of thelowermost signature I 0 inwardly of the folded back-edge thereof andpress said portion into gripping contact with the peripheral surface ofthe cylinder 20 as the latter revolves, whereupon the lowermostsignature I 0 is extracted forwardly and downwardly from the stack, andcarried around and rearwardly to the lower side of the cylinder at whichpoint it is released by the grippers 1'9, 1-9 to fall flatwise on thetrough 6. Although the cylinder :20 is herein shown as having only oneset of grippers I9, 19 thereon, said cylinder is suffioiently large indiameter to enable the use of two .sets of said grippers arrangeddiametrically opposite each other, as well known in the art, whereby twosuccessive signatures may be extracted from the stack .for eachrevolution of the cylinder, in which event said cylinder will be drivento make one-half of a revolution for each cycle of operation of themachine. It is, therefore, to be understood that the present inventionis not limited to a gripper cylinder .hav- .ing only one set of.grippers thereon, but may be employed with equal advantages inconnection with :a gripper cylinder provided with more than one set ofgrippers.

As shown, the cylinder 20 is preferably, but not necessarily, in theform of a single casting constructed to provide two axially spacedsignature receiving and supporting disks 24, 24. The cylinder 20 has asection thereof removed to provide a recess therein extending axiallytherethrough and opening outwardly through the peripheral surfaces ofthe disks 2'4, 24 for the reception and operation of the grippers l9,l9, and certain parts of the calipering mechanism to be hereinafterdescribed. The cylinder 21) has portions thereof hollowed out to reducethe weight thereof, and is suitably ribbed :to increase the strengththereof. The disks 24, 24 are provided adjacent the recess 25 with twoaxially aligned gripper pads or anvils 26, 2 6, one on each disk, whichare recessed into the peripheral surfaces of said disks and areremovably secured thereto by machine screws 21 or the like, said gripperpads being formed of a suitable noncompressible material, such as,Formica, Micarta, metal, or the like, having the desired 00- efficientof friction to extract the signature or sheet.

The grippers l9, M are normally disposed wholly within the recess 25 andinwardly of the circle of revolution of the peripheral surfaces of thedisks 24, 24, as shown in '3, and are pinned or otherwise suitablysecured to and adjacent opp'osite ends of a short shaft 28 in accuratealignment with the cooperating gripper pads 26, 26 on the respectivedisks '24, 2A of cylinder 20. This shaft 28 is journa'lled in suitablebearings provided in the free forward ends of two axially spaced links29, 29 which are symmetrically arranged between the grippers I9, I9. Thelinks 29,2 9 extend rca-rwardly from the shaft '28 and are pivotallymounted at their free rear ends on a short pin S t which is 'so locatedthat the a ds thereof is substantially on a line passing verticallythrough the center of the axially aligned gripper pads 25, 26. The pin3%} is suitably secured centrally thereof in a toothed segmental plate3i and proj ects'beyo'nd opposite sides of said plate to receive thelinks 29,29. The segmental plate 3! is disposed centrally between thedisks '24, 2b in a suitable recess in the cylinder 20 and is pinned orotherwise suitably secured to said cylinder against relative movement,said plate hating the toothed portion thereof projecting into the recess25.

'It will thus appear that by virtue of the described mounting of thegripper shaft -28 and grippers I9, '19, and the described location ofthe pivot pin 30, the shaft 28 and grippers l9, 19 will be bodily swungoutward relative to the cylinder 20 in an arcuate path substantiallyconcentric with the signature engaging surfaces of theipa'ds 26, 26.This bodily outward movement of the grippers 1'9, [9, which is in adirection opposite to the direction of rotation of the cylinclear 20,enables "the grippers to in effect overtake the separated marginalportion of the lowermost signature I'D as the cylinder revolves andthereby project farther inwardly beyond the folded backedge of thesignature .in normal extracting position. In this manner, positivegripping engagement of the signature ID in or out of normal positionwithin limits by the grippers i9, i9 is always assured, and thepossibilities of misses through failure of the grippers to engage asignature in or slightly out of normal position are completelyeliminated.

.Secured to or formed integrally with the gripper shaft 28 centrallythereof :is a segmental gear 32 which is in continuous meshingengagement with the teeth 33 formed on the segmental plate 31. It willthus appear that when the gripper shaft 2 8 and grippers l9, l9 areswung bodily outward relative to the cylinder 20, as hereinbeforedescribed, the'sha'ft 28 and grippers i9, i9, through such movement andmeshing engagement of the segmental gear '32 with the tooth segmentalplate 3|, will be simultaneously rotated in a'counter-clockwisedirection, as viewed in Fig. 3, whereupon the grippers i9, '19 will beswung from the wide opened position shown in said figure, to the closedposition shown in Figs. 1 and 2 to engage the separated portion of thesignature H1 andfirmly and uniformly 'press'the same against the pads26, 26 as the cylinder 2t revolves. This gripping engagement of thesignature H] by the grippers l9, I9 is maintained until the signature,through continued rotation of the cylinder 20, is completely extractedfrom the supply istack and carried circularly downward and around to thelowerside of said cylinder, at which time a reversal of the abovedescribed operations is eifected to cause the grippers l9, 1'9 to opensubstantially at the lowest part of their travel, resulting in releaseof the signature Ill for flatW-ise delivery onto the trough 6. As thecylinder 20 continues to revolve after release of the signature [0 bythe grippers [9, I9, said grippers are fully retracted bodily into therecess 25 and simultaneously rotated to their wide opened position, asshown in Fig. 3, in readiness for action on the next separated lowermostsignature of the stack.

' The above described operations of the grippers IS, IS may be effectedin 'various mechanical ways, :and as herein shown is effected at propertimed intervals through rotation of the cylinder 20 by simple mechanismpreferably constructed and arranged as follows. Journalled on thegripper shaft 28 at each end thereof are two cam rollers of the samediameter, the rollers at one end being indicated at 34, 34,-and therollers at the opposite end being indicated at 35, 35 (Fig. 4). Theserollers 3 '34 and 35, 35 are arranged to engage two stationarysemi-circular ring-shaped cams 36 and 37, respectively, which are ofidentical construction and are disposed adjacent opposite ends of thecylinder 20 at the rear side thereof. The earns 36, 31 extendsubstantially from the vertical center line of the cylinder 20 at thetop thereof to substantially said center line at the bottom of thecylinder. The cams 3B, 3'! are each made in two sections, 1. e. a fixedupper gripper closing section 38 and an adjustable lower gripper openingsection 39. The sections '38, 38 of the cams 36, 31 are bolted orotherwise suitably secured to the inner surfaces of two supportingbrackets 40 and M, respectively, and the sections 39, 39 of said camsare respectively secured to said surfaces by bolts 42 (Fig. 1) whichextend through slotted openings 43 in said brackets and are threadedinto suitable threaded openings in said sections.

The sections 38, 39 of each cam 36, 31 together provide at their inneredges a relatively long cam surface 44 (Fig. 2) concentric with the axisof rotation of the cylinder 20 and terminating at the upper end thereofin a'relatively short gradually tapering-off cam surface 45 and at thelower end thereof in a somewhat longer gradually tapering-off camsurface 46. The bolt and slot mounting 42, 43 of thecam sections 39, 39provide for adjusting said sections relative to the cam sections 38, 38to vary the time when and, hence the point in the path of travel of thegrippers I9, I9 at which opening of said grippers and release of thesignature I is desired. The sections 38, 39 of each cam pref erably haveoverlapping adjacent ends in order to maintain the continuousuninterrupted concentric cam surface 44 in all positions of adjustmentof the section 39.

The rollers 34, 34 and 35, 35 are yieldingly urged toward the cams 36,31, respectively, by two spring-pressed rods 41, 41 provided at theirupper ends with enlarged heads 48, 48 which are pivotally connected tothe gripper shaft 23 and are disposed between the grippers I9, I9 andthe links 29, 29. The lower ends of the rods 41, 41 project throughsuitable openings in a transverse post 49 which is loosely carried inthe web of the cylinder 20 and projects beyond opposite ends of said webto receive said rods. The springs for the rods 41, 41 are compressioncoil springs 59, 56 mounted thereon and having their upper ends engagingagainst the heads 48, 48 and their lower ends engaging against the post49. If desired, a single roller of double width may be substituted inlieu of each of the double rollers 34, 34 and 35, 35, the double rollersbeing employed to minimize wear and reduce maintenance expense.

The cam supporting brackets 49 and 4I are disposed exteriorly of thecylinder 26 adjacent opposite ends thereof and are loosely engaged overthe cylinder shaft 23 and connected together rearwardly of said cylinderby a short tie-rod 5I suitably secured therein. The brackets 49, 4! aresupported and held against rotary movement about shaft 23 by a verticalrod 52 (Fig. 1) depending from the shaft I6 and having'its lower endprojecting through a suitable opening in the tie-rod 5I. The lower endof rod 52 is externally threaded and has threaded thereon above andbelow the tie rod 5| two nuts 53, 53. By adjusting the nuts 53, 53, thebrackets 49, 4I may be raised or lowered as a unit about the shaft 23 toadvance or retard the cams 36, 31 as a unit for gripper timing purposes.

It will thus appear that when the rollers 34, 34 and 35, 35 are engagedwith the concentric cam surfaces 44, 44 of the cams 36, 31, as shown inFig. 3, through rotation of the cylinder 20 in the direction of thearrow, the grippers I9, I9 will be swung wide open and wholly retractedinto the recess 25 in said cylinder, as shown in said figure. As thcylinder 26 continues to revolve and the opened grippers I9, I9 approachthe folded back-edge of the separated signature I0, the rollers 34, 34and 35, 35 will ride off the cam surfaces 44, 44, onto and along the camsurfaces 8 45, 45 and then out of contact with the cams 36, 31, as shownin Fig. 2, whereupon the grippers I9, I9 will be bodily swung reverselyout of the recess 25 about th pivot pin 36 and simultaneously rotatedinwardly toward the disks 24, 24 to closed position, as shown in Figs. 1and 2, by the spring actuated rods 41, thus yieldingly gripping thesignature against the pads 26, 26 and holding it gripped until it isextracted from the hopper and carried downwardly and rearwardly to thelower side of the cylinder 20. As the grippers I9, I9 approach thelowest part of their travel through continued rotation of the cylinder20, the rollers 34, 34 and 35, 35 will engage the cam surfaces 46, 45 ofcams 36 and 31, whereupon the grippers I9, I9 begin to retract into therecess 25 and to open, thus immediately releasing the extractedsignature I0 to fall fiatwise onto the trough 6. As the cylinder 26continues to revolve after release of the signature I9, the rollers 34,34 and 35, 35 ride farther up on the cam surfaces 46, 46 and intoengagement with the concentric cam surfaces 44, whereupon the grippersI9, I9 are again fully retracted into the recess 25 and are swung wideopen in readiness for operation on the next separated lowermostsignature of the stack, at which time the above described operations arerepeated. It is to be noted that the extent of inward rotary movement ofthe grippers I9, I9 toward the gripper pads 26, 26 is variable dependingon the thickness of the signature or sheet being gripped thereby or theabsence of said sheet or signature in gripping position, said movementbeing less for a thick signature than it is for a thin signature orsingle sheet, and being more when no signature or sheet is present ingripping position and the grippers I9, I 9 make direct contact with thepads 26, 26. By modifying the cams 36, 31 so that the cam surfaces 45,45 thereof taper off more abruptly than shown, the grippers I9, I9 maybe caused to project still farther rearwardly beyond the folded backedge of the signature in gripping position.

It is to be understood that when the cylinder 26 is provided with twosets of grippers disposed diametrically opposite each other, ashereinbefore pointed out, the recess 25, the grippers I9, I9 and thedescribed mounting and operating parts therefor are duplicated andarranged in corresponding positions on the cylinder 20, the cams 36 and31 then serving to operate both sets of grippers to effect extraction oftwo successive signatures from the stack during each revolution of thecylinder.

It is important during the normal operation of the machine that asignature or sheet and only one signature or sheet at a time isextracted from the supply stack during each cycle of operation, and thatonly signatures that are perfect as to the required number of pagestherein are delivered to the trough 6 or other device. Accordinglycalipering mechanism of novel construction is provided for caliperingthe signatures or sheets prior to delivery thereof to the trough 6 orother device to detect variations in the thickness of the signatures orsheets above and below normal thickness, and for also detecting theabsence of a signature or sheet on the gripper cylinder 29 at a timewhen one should be present thereon, said calipering mechanism, in theillustrated embodiment, efi'ecting actuation of an electrical controlswitch upon detection of a signature or sheet of abnormal thickness, toothick or too thin, or plural signatures or sheets, or the absence of asignature or sheet in normal position on the cylinder 20. The electricalcontrol switch may be em ployed either or both to stop the machine andto throw a visual or audible signal.

As herein shown, the novel caliperingmechanism is mounted on the grippercylinder 26 for rotation therewith, and utilizes the grippers l9, l9

themselves as the signature or sheet thickness gauging means thereof, aswell as the absent signature or sheet detecting means thereof, since thethickness of the signatures or sheets, as well as the absence of asignature or sheet. in gripping position on the cylinder, is reflectedin the extent of rotary movement of the grippers l9, l9 into grippingengagement with the signature or sheet;

or'with the pads 26, 26. The novel calipering mechanism comprises thefollowing elements preferably constructed, mounted and operated asfollows.

The segmental gear 32 on the gripper shaft 28 is formed at the frontside thereof with a fiat face to which is bolted or otherwise suitablysecured a depending controlling finger 54 formed at the lower endthereof with a forwardly bent or offset portion 55. Th length of thefinger 54 is substantially equal to the length of the grippers l9, l9measured from the axis of the gripper shaft 28. The finger 55 is thus:rocked in opposite directions by the shaft 28 with the grippers I9, l9,and the extent of movement of said finger in a direc tion outwardlytoward the peripheral surface of the cylinder 20 is dependent upon andsubstantially the same as the. extent of inward movement of the grippers19, I9- toward the pads 26, 25, which movement, as hereinbefore pointedout, varies depending on the thickness of the signature or sheet engagedby the grippers, or the absence of a signature or sheet in grippingposition.

The portion 55 of finger 54 is arranged to abut against a contact member56 in the form of a thumb screw which is adjustably carried in the splitupper end of a relatively short upstanding arm 51 and is locked inadjusted positions by a clamp screw 58. The lower end of the arm 51 isdisposed between the furcations of a bifurcated bracket 59 which isbolted or otherwise suitably secured to a transverse seat 60 formed onthe cylinder 20 and located centrally between the ends thereof. A stud5| extends through and is journalled in suitable aligned bearings formedin the iurcations of the bracket 59, and through a suitable cpeningformed in the lower end of the arm 5'! which is split at said end andprovided with a. clamp screw 52 for securing said arm to said stud. Thestud 6| is formed with an enlarged square head 63 which is disposedexteriorly of the bracket 59 at the left hand side thereof, as viewed inFig. 4. The head 63 on stud 6| is split horizontally for a portion ofthe length thereof and is provided at the rear side thereof with asocket within which is disposed and seated the front end of a relativelylong controlled finger 64 which is immovably secured in said head by aclamp screw 65. The controlled finger 64 projects rearwardly from thehead 63 over the cylinder shaft 23 and is in the form of a round rodhaving its rear end portion flattened to a relatively thin narrow blade66. controlling finger 54, 55, the arm 51, and the controlled finger 54,variations in the thickness of the signatures or sheets and in theextent of rotary inward? movement of the: grippers 1 91,: i i are. thusmultiplied considerably at the extreme rear end of the blade 65 of thecontrolled finger 64.

Cooperating, with the controlled finger 64, 66 is By virtue of theproportional lengths of the a second controlling member in the form of abell-crank lever 61 (Fig. 2) having a long upstanding arm 68, a shortlower rearwardly extending horizontal arm 69, and a short. outwardlyprojecting arm 10 which is turned at right angles to the arms 68, 69 andis disposed diagonally between the; same. The controllingbellecranklever 61 is disposed at the left-hand end of the cylinder 20, as viewedin Fig; 4, and is mounted for pivotal movement on a shoulder stud "IIwhich is suitably secured: in the. web. of said cylinder and projectsoutwardly therefrom to receive said bell-crank lever. A cam roller 12is. journalled on an eccentric stud 13. which is adjustably secured inthe free end of: the bell-crank arm '69 and projects outwardly therefromto receive said roller. The roller 1:2 is arranged to engage thestationary cam 36 as the cylinder 20 revolves, and is yieldinglyu-rged'toward and into engagement with said cam by suitable resilientmeans, such asa compression coil spring 14 having one end thereofseatedin a suitable socket formed in the hub of the cylinder 20. andthe. opposite end engaging against thebellcrankv arm lift at a pointbelow the pivotal axis ii. The spring. 14. acts to bias the bell-cranklever 6'5 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, and themovement of said lever by said spring in said direction is limited by a.stop screw 15 which is engaged by the outer edge of said lever. The stopscrew: 15. is adjustably carried by a transverse post 16, and is held inadjusted position by a lock nut TI. The post 16 is. suitably secured inthe cylinder 25 and projects outwardly therefrom.

Itwill thus appear that as the cylinder 29 revolves, the roller 12 onthe bell-crank lever 5'5 is caused to follow the cam surfaces M and 45'on cam 36 by the'expanding action of the spring M. Accordingly, when theroller 12 moves into engagement with the cam surface 45 on cam 36 whichoccurs after a signature or sheet has been gripped by the grippers I9,l9 and while said signature orsheetis being carried downwardly andaround to the lower side of the cylinder 28', the bell-crank lever 61 isrocked by spring "it about the pivot H in a clockwise direction, asviewed in Fig. 2, thus swinging the bell-crank arms 58 and Ill to. the:broken line positions thereof shown in said figure, for a purpose to behereinafter explained. When the roller. 12 leaves the cam 35 uponcon-tinuedrotation of the cylinder 20, further or excess pivotalclockwise movement of the bellecrank lever 61 is prevented throughengagementoffsaid lever with the stop screw 15. When the roller .12moves into engagement with the cam surface 46 on cam 35which occursafter the signature or sheet is released and the grippers I 9', 19 arereturned to their wide opened position, the: bell-crank lever 61 isreturned by said cam to its original full lineposition shown in Fig. 2.

Suitably secured to the bell-crank arm 68 at the upper end" thereof, asby machine screws i8, is a feelerblock 1 9 provided in the lower edgethereofwith an upstanding shoulder facing the controlled finger 6'4.Disposed below and in spaced relation with the feeler block 19 is asecond feeler block 8| provided in the upper edge thereof with a.horizontal shelf 82 and with an upstanding shoulder 83 also facing thecontrolled finger 6:4- The. feeler block BI is secured to thebell-crank-arm 68. for adjustment toward and away from the feel'er blockl9-by a machine screw 84 which. projects through a slotted opening 85 insaid, block and, is threaded into a suitable threaded opening in saidarm. The controlled finger 64 is yieldingly urged by a light extension 11 coil spring 86 toward the feeler block 8| and into normal positionwith the blade end 66 thereof resting on the shelf 82 of said block, asshown in broken lines in Fig. 2. The spring 86 has one end thereofconnected to the finger 64 and the opposite end connected to the hub ofthe cylinder 28.

The bell-crank arm is provided with a roller 8'! journalled on ashoulder stud 88 which is suitably secured in the free end of said arm.This roller 81 is arranged to engage and actuate a control element undercertain conditions through rotation of the cylinder 20 and thebell-crank lever 81 therewith. As shown, the control element comprises arod 89 (Figs. 2 and 4) which is disposed parallel with the cylindershaft 23 and is provided at the outer end thereof with a head 90 whichis adjustably threaded on said rod and is held in adjusted position by alock nut 9|. The rod 89 is so located that the inner free end thereofprojects into the rotary path travelled by the roller 81 when the roller12 is in engagement with the concentric cam surface 44 of the cam 36, atwhich time the bell-crank lever 61 will be dis posed in the full lineposition shown in Fig. 2.

The rod 89 is supported and guided for straightline axial movement by abracket 92 (Figs. 1 and 4) which is bolted or otherwise suitably securedto the outer surface of the cam supporting bracket 40. The rod 89 isyieldingly urged toward the cylinder 28 by a compression coil spring 93surrounding said rod and having one end thereof engaging against thebracket 92 and the opposite end engaging against a collar 94 suitablysecured to the rod. The collar 94, through engagement with the bracket92, serves to limit the inward movement of the rod 89 by the spring93,'and to stop said rod in proper axial position for operativeengagement by the roller 81.

Bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the outer end of the bracket 92is a normally closed electric switch 95 which is connected in theelectric circuit for the driving motor of the machine, and may, ifdesired, be also included in an electric circuit for a visual signal,such as a lamp or electrically actuated flag, or an audible signal, suchas a bell or buzzer. The switch 95 is of known construction and is ofthe type which when once actuated will remain in actuated position untilmanually reset, For this purpose, the switch 95 is provided at one sidethereof with a contact actuating plunger 96 which is disposed coaxiallywith the rod 88 to be engaged and actuated b the head 80 on said rod,and at the opposite side thereof with a second contact resetting plunger91 which is manually operated.

The eccentric stud 13 provides for accurately setting the bell-cranklever 61 about the pivot stud 'H so that the shoulders 80 and 83 of thefeeler blocks 19 and SI, respectively, will be disposed just clear ofthe arcuate path of movement of the free end of the blade 56 of thefinger 64, and that the control-rod-actuating roller 81 on said leverwill be spaced radially from the axis of the cylinder shaft 23 the samedistance as the control rod 39, with the cam rollerv 12 in contact withthe concentric cam surface 44 of the cam 36. The adjustable feeler block8| and the adjustable contact screw 58 permits a very fine adjustment ofthe calipering mechanismso that the control rod or element 89 will beeffectively actuated when variations to the degree of a single sheetthickness are detected in the signatures of different thicknesses thatmay be handled in the machine. This fine adjustment is particularlyimportant and advantageous when handling single sheets and relativelythin signatures, such as four-page signatures.

In the initial make-ready of the described apparatus, a signature H! ofnormal or proper thickness is taken from the supply thereof which is tobe fed and is placed between the closed grippers |9, I9 and the pads 26,26. The contact screw 56 is then manually adjusted until the blade-end66 of the controlled finger 64, through engagement of said screw withthe controlling finger 54 and resulting pivotal movement of the arm 51,stud BI and finger 64, is disposed in the space between the feelerblocks 19, 8| and, hence, out of the path of inward movement of saidblocks. This adjustment is augmented by adjusting the feeler block 8|toward or away from the'feeler block 19 in accordance with the thicknessand type of signature being fed. For thick signatures without singlesheet inserts, a wide gap between the feeler blocks 19, 8| is usuallyemployed, such as shown in Fig. 2. For thin signatures without singlesheet inserts, and for thick signatures with single sheet inserts,the-gap between the feeler blocks 19, BI is reduced. For thin signatureswith single sheet inserts, and for single unfolded sheets, the gapbetween the feeler blocks 19, 8| is further reduced, In any event, thegap between the feeler blocks 19, 8| must always exceed the thickness ofthe blade portion 66 of the controlling finger 64.

Assuming now that the above adjustments have been carefully made, thatthe grippers I9, H! are in their normal wide opened positions, as shownin Fig. 3, that the bell-crank lever 61 is disposed in its normal fullline position, as shown in Fig. 2, through engagement of the roller 12on said lever with the cam surface 44 of the cam 36, and that the switchis closed, at which time the controlling finger 54 is spaced aconsiderable distance away from the contact screw 56, as evident fromthe position thereof shown in Fig. 3, and the controlled finger 64 isdisposed by the spring 86 in resting position on the shelf 82 of thefeeler block 8|, as shown in Fig. 2. The machine is then started, and asthe cylinder 20 revolves in the direction of the arrow, the grippers IS,IS are closed on the separated signature H), as hereinbefore described,and said signature is extracted from the supply stack. If the signaturel0 seized by the grippers I9, I8 is of normal or proper thickness, thecontrolled finger 64 will be raised from the shelf 82 of the feelerblock 8| to the full line position thereof, shown in Fig. 2, under thecontrol of the grippers l9, l9 and through contact of the finger 54 withthe contact screw 56. Under these conditions, the bell-crank lever 61 ispermitted to swing in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, to thebroken line position (Fig. 2) under the action of the spring 14 andengagement of the roller '12 with the cam surface 45 of the cam 36 asthe cylinder 20 continues to revolve with the signature gripped thereon.The control roller 81 will thus be displaced radially to the broken lineposition shown in Fig. 2, and in such displaced position will travel ina displaced rotary path past the control rod 89 sufficiently clear ofthe latter to completely miss the same. Accordingly, the control rod 89will not be actuated and the normal operation of the machine will thusproceed as long as the successive signatures taken by the grippers 9, l9are of normal or proper thickness.

Assuming now that the signature seized by the grippers l9, I9 is of athickness in excess of the normal or proper thickness, or that twosignatures are simultaneously seized by said grippers, resulting in areduced stroke of the grippers. Under these conditions, the controlledfingerv 64 willinot be raised from the shelf 82 of the feeler blockal,or will not be raised sufficiently to. clearthe shoulder 83 of saidblock. Accordingly, whenthe roller '52 on the bell-crank lever .6!begins to ride up on the cam surface 45 of the cam Stand the feelerblocks iii, 8| feel for the controlled finger 64,.

inward or clockwise movement of said bell-crank. lever is preventedthroughabutting engagementv of the shoulder 83. of the block 8| withthe-blade end 66 of the finger 64 in the broken linelower positionthereof shown in Fig. 2. The bell-crank lever i will thus remain in thefull line position shown in Fig. 2, and in such position thecontrolroller 81 will engage and actuate the control rod 89 as the cylinderrevolves, whereupon the switch 535 will be actuated to. break theelectric circuit and thereby stop the operation of. the machine. It willbe noted that contact of the control roller 8'! with the control rod 89is only momentary, but sufficient, however, to actuate said rod and theswitch 95, andbecause of this said roller will travel beyond the controlrod 89} before the cylinder 20 is actually stopped, thus enablingresetting of said rod by the spring 93 andmanual resetting of the switch95 to again start the machine after the necessary-corrections have beenmade. H H

Assuming now that the signature seized by the grippers I 9, I9 isthinner than the normal or proper signature thickness, or that thegrippers I9, IQ for some reason have failed to seize a signature,resulting in an increased-stroke of said grippers. Under theseconditions, the controlled finger 64, due to the increased stroke of'the grippers I9, [9, will be raised from the shelf 82 of the feelerblock Bl tothe broken line upper position shown in Fig, 2, an extentsufficient to clear the feeler block 8| but to bedisposed in the path ofthe shoulder 80 of the feeler block 19. Accordingly, when the roller 12on the bellcrank lever 61 begins to ride up on the cam surface 45 of thecam 36 and the feeler blocks 19, 8| feel for the controlled finger 54,inward or clockwise. movement-of said .bel1,crank lever is preventedthrough abutting engagement of the shoulder 80 of the block 19 with theblade end 66 of the finger E4. The bell-crank lever .61 will thus remainin the full line position shown in Fig. 2, and in such position thecontrol roller 81 will engage and actuate the control rod 89 as thecylinder 20 revolves, whereupon the switch 95 will be actuated to breakthe electric circuit and thereby cause stoppage of the machine.

The operations of the calipering mechanism as explained above inconnection with different si nature conditions, likewise occur'whensingle unfolded sheets are fed and the grippers l9, l9 seize an excessthickness sheet or double sheets, or fail to seize a sheet.

-It is to be understood that when the cylinder 28 is provided with twosets of grippers arranged diametrically opposite each other, thehereinbefore described parts of the calipering mechanism are soconstructed and arranged that they may be duplicated and mounted incorresponding positions on the cylinder .20 to provide a duplicatecalipering mechanism. for the signatures or sheets taken by the secondset of grippers, said duplicate mechanism utilizing the same cam 36 astheoperating means therefor, and efiecting actuation of the same controlrod 89 when an abnormal condition occurs the handling of 14 the.signatures or sheets by the second set of grippers.

The operation of the calipering mechanism constructed and arranged inaccordance with the present invention will be clearly understood fromthe foregoing description, and while said descrip tion and theaccompanying drawings set forth with more or less particularity oneembodiment of the invention, it is to he expressly understood that saidinvention is not limited to said embodiment or to the particular type ofmachine or to the rotary type of signature or sheet transfer carrier orcylinder disclosed herein. Various changes may be made therein,particularly in the design and arrangement of the parts illustrated, aswell as in the mode of operation and manner of use, some of which havebeen mentioned in the foregoing specification, without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention, as- :will-now be clear to thoseskilled in the art. The

invention may be embodied with equal advantages in a straight-linetraveling gripper carrier, or in a swinging type of gripper carrier.Additionally, the control rod. 89 may be relocated for :actuation by thecontrol roller 31 when the bell-' crank lever B? is in its broken line,perfect signature or sheet, position, shown in Fig. 2, said rod thenactuating a switch or other suitable mechanism which will preventstoppage of the machine, or a second control rod may be provided foractuation by the roller 81 when the bell-crank lever 61- is in itsbroken line, perfect signature or sheet, position, said second rod thenactuating a perfect signature or sheet counting device, electric ormechanical, or anothermechanical or electrical device for a desiredpurpose.

What is claimed is:

1. In apparatus of the character described, a movable carrier having asheet or signature supporting surface, a gripper movably mounted on saidcarrier, means for movingsaid gripper toward said surface from a normalopen position to closed position on a sheet or signature, control meansindependent of said carrier and arranged to be actuated, a membermounted on said carrier for movement therewith and for relative movementto two positions only, namely, an operative position and an inoperativeposition; said member with said gripper in normal opened position beingdisposed in its operative position so as to engage and actuate saidcontrol means during movement of said member with said carrier, meansfor moving said member to its inoperative position in' synchronism withthe closing operation of said gripper, and means mounted'on said carrierfor relative movement under the control of said gripper to one positionfor permitting movement of said member to its inoperative position sothat engagementof said member with said control means is avoided whenthe gripped sheet or signature is of properthickness, and to anotherposition for holding said member in its operative position and againstmovement to its inoperative position so that said member will engage andactuate said control means when the thickness of the gripped sheet orsignature is in excess of or less than the proper thickness and] when nosheet or signature is gripped by said gripper.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said control means comprisesa fixed electrical switch, and a slidably mounted switch-operatingpush-rod having one end thereof disposed in the path of movement of saidmember when in operativ position to be engaged and operatedby saidmember.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a rotary carrier having acircular sheet or signature supporting surface and mounted to rotateabout a fixed axis, a gripper pivotally mounted on said carrier, meansfor swinging said gripper from a normal open position toward saidsurface to closed position on a sheet or signature, control meansindependent of said carrier and arranged for actuation adjacent one endof said carrier, an element mounted on said carrier at said end forrotary movement therewith and for relative pivotal movement in oppositedirections to two positions only, namely, an operative position and aninoperative position, respectively, said element with said gripper innormal opened position being disposed in its operative position so as toengage and actuate said control means during rotation of said elementwith said carrier, means for moving said element to its inoperativeposition in timed relation with the closing operation of said gripper,and means mounted on said carrier for relative pivotal movement underthe control of said gripper to one position for permitting movement ofsaid element to its inoperative position so that engagement of saidelement with said control means is avoided when the gripped sheet orsignature is of proper thickness, and to another position for holdingsaid element in its operative position and against movement to itsinoperative position so that said element will engage and actuate saidcontrol means when the thickness of the gripped sheet or signature is inexcess of or less than the proper thickness and when no sheet orsignature is gripped by said gripper.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said control means comprisesa fixed electrical switch, a slidably mounted switch actuating push-roddisposed parallel with the axis of rotation of said carrier and havingone end thereof projecting into the path of rotary movement of saidelement when in operative position to be engaged and actuated by saidelement, and spring means for yieldingly urging said push-rod towardsaid carrier and into position for operative engagement by said element.

5. In apparatus of the character described, a movable carrier having asheet or signature supporting surface, a gripper movably mounted on saidcarrier, means for moving said gripper toward said surface to closedposition on a sheet or signature, a lever mounted on said carrier forrotary movement therewith and for relative pivotal movement, a member onsaid lever and movable thereby to two positions only, namely, anoperative position and an inoperative position, control meansindependent of said carrier and arranged for actuation by saidmember,'means for moving said lever in one direction prior to theclosing operation of said gripper to dispose said member in itsoperative position whereby it may engage said control means duringmovement of said lever with said carrier, means for moving said lever inthe opposite direction subsequent to the closing operation of saidgripper to dispose said member in its inoperative position whereby itmay avoid contact with said control means during movement of said leverwith said carrier, and a gripper controlled finger mounted on saidcarrier for pivotal movement into the path of movement of said lever insaid opposite direction for holding said member in its operativeposition and against movement to its inoperative 16 position when thethickness of the gripped sheet or signature is in excess of or less thanthe proper thickness and when no sheet or signature is gripped by saidgripper.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said member is in the formof a roller journalled on said lever, and said control means comprises afixed electrical switch, and a slidably mounted spring-pressed switchactuating push-rod having one end thereof projecting into the path ofmovement of said roller when in operative position to be engaged andoperated by said roller.

'7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said electrical switch isprovided with a contact actuating plunger engageable by said push-rod,and with a manually operable contact resetting plunger.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said lever is provided withtwo relatively spaced blocks each having an abutment shoulder thereonengageable with the gripper controlled finger whereby movement of saidlever in said opposite direction is prevented, and said finger ispositioned under the control of said gripper for engagement by theabutment shoulder of one of said blocks when the thickness of thegripped sheet or signature is less than proper thickness and when nosheet or signature is gripped by said gripper, and for engagement by theabutment shoulder of the other of said blocks when the thickness of thegripped sheet or signature is in excess of the proper thickness, andbetween said blocks when the gripped sheet or signature is of properthickness.

9. In apparatus of the character described, a movable carrier having asheet or signature supporting surface thereon, a gripper movably mountedon said carrier, spring operated means on said carrier for moving saidgripper toward said surface to closed position on a sheet or signatureduring movement of said carrier, a stationary cam for controlling theoperation of said gripper by said spring operated means, a lever mountedon said carrier for relative pivotal movement, a member on said leverand movable thereby to operative and inoperative positions, controlmeans independent of said carrier, a roller journalled on said lever andengageable with said stationary cam during movement of said carrier formoving said lever in one direction prior to the operation of saidgripper to dispose said member in its operative position whereby it mayengage said control means, resilient means for moving said lever in theopposite direction under the control of said stationary cam subsequentto the operation of said gripper to dispose said member in itsinoperative position whereby it may avoid contact with said controlmeans, and a gripper controlled finger mounted on said carrier forpivotal movement into the path of movement of said lever in saidopposite direction for preventing movement of said member to inoperativeposition when the thickness of the gripped sheet or signature isincorrect and when no sheet or signature is gripped by said gripper.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said roller is journalledon an eccentric stud adjustably carried by said lever.

11. In apparatus of the character described, a movable carrier having asheet or signature supporting surface thereon, a gripper movably mountedon said carrier, means for moving said gripper toward said surface toclosed position on a sheet or signature, a lever mounted on said carrierfor relative pivotal movement, an element on said lever and movablethereby to operative and inoperative positions, control meansindependent of said carrier, cam means for moving said lever in onedirection prior to the operation of said gripper to dispose said elementin its operative position whereby it may engage said control meansduring movement of said lever with said carrier, yieldable means formoving said lever in the opposite direction subsequent to the operationof said gripper to dispose said element in its inoperative positionwhereby it may avoid contact with said control means, upper and lowerblocks secured to said lever in spaced relation and each having anabutment shoulder thereon, a relatively long finger pivotally mounted onsaid carrier and resting at its free end on said lower block in abuttingrelation with the shoulder on said block, and means actuated by saidgripper through movement thereof to closed position for selectivelymoving said finger from said lower block to a position between saidblocks when the gripped sheet or signature is of proper thickness andthereby permit movement of said lever in said opposite direction, or toa further position when the thickness of the gripped sheet or signatureis less than the proper thickness or when no sheet or signature isgripped by said gripper whereby movement of said lever in said oppositedirection is prevented through engagement of the shoulder on said upperblock with said finger, said last-named means upon gripping engagementby said gripper of a sheet or signature of a thickness in excess of theproper thickness having a movement imparted thereto insufficient to movesaid finger clear of the shoulder on said lower block thereby preventingmovement of said lever in said opposite direction.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said movable carriercomprises a continuously rotating member having a circular sheet or sig-18 nature engaging surface and mounted to rotate about a fixed axis.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said last-named meanscomprises a controlling finger connected to said gripper for movementthereby and depending therefrom, a stud journalled on said carrier andsupporting said long finger, a relatively short arm secured to saidstud, and a contact element adjustably threaded in said arm andengageable by said controlling finger.

14. In apparatus of the character described, a movable carrier having asheet or signature supporting surface, a gripper movably mounted on saidcarrier, means for moving said gripper toward said surface to closedposition on a sheet or signature, a member mounted on said carrier forrelative movement in opposite directions a predetermined extent so as tooccupy a predetermined invariable position in each of said directions, acam and spring operated means for moving said member in said directionsto said positions, control means independent of said carrier andarranged to be engaged and actuated by said member in one of itspositions during movement thereof with said carrier, and means actuatedby said gripper'for controlling the positioning of said member at saidpositions and the operation of said control means thereby in accordancewith the thickness of the sheet or signature being gripped by saidgripper.

LEO C. WILLIAMS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 761,496 Juengst May 31, 1904' 1,738,180 Frazier Dec. 3, 19292,020,321 Kleineberg Nov. 12, 1935 2,145,520 McFarlane Jan. 31. 1939

